Southern almanac

Ap April assortments: Warm Southern showers bloom April flowers. Azaleas everywhere. a Bleeding hearts falling for you. April birthstone is the diamond. Don't be solitary Words to carry on fresh spring evening from Carl Sandburg: "Nothing happens unless first a dream."

1 Why do we call it April Fools' Day?

Poor Robin's Almanack pleaded ignorance back in 1760. What is the story? If you know, please let me in on it.

6 Daylight Savings Time Two o'clock in the morning is the hour to advance the hands on the watch and clock. Spring forward--fall back. Remember? Happy to help.

10. Dandy Don's Day Don Meredith, the former football star, is 59 years old today. Born in Mount Vernon, Texas, he has kept busy as a sportscaster and an actor. Many happy returns.

11. Festival of Flowers at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina Starts today. Celebrates the season with blooms abundant. Only delightful. Ends May 11.

12. The first shot of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina Both sides bone-deep sure they had right on their side. Only tragic.

13. Thomas Jefferson, Virginia's favorite son He was born on this day in 1743 in Albemarle County. Was elected our third President. Found time to purchase Louisiana and then some. Wrote our beloved Declaration of Independence. Started the University of Virginia. His home at Monticello and his lovely gardens are worth a visit any time.

He died on the Fourth of July in 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration was approved. And if he isn't Virginia's favorite son, he ought to be. Him-or Robert E. Lee-for sure.

15. Payday! Payday! This is Income Tax Payday. I have nothing funny to say. The more you make, the more they take.

25. Festival of Roses Begins today in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A three-day celebration of one of your favorite flowers. The rose symbolizes love, beauty, and secrecy. Go ahead. Buy a bouquet.

25. Music, music, music Also food, food, food. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival sounds today. Ends May 4.

Our Favorite Birthdays

1 Debbie Reynolds

2 Emmylou Harris

4 Maya Angelou

13 Eudora Welty

14 Loretta Lynn

24 Shirley MacLaine

26 Carol Burnett

27 Coretta Scott King

28 Harper Lee

WHAT A GREAT IDEA

The Pony Express? On April 3, 1860, the Pony Express was launched. You could send your letter from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, in 10 days.

Young boys and small men (the average age was 18) rode fast horses. Moving like the wind, they crossed about 2,000 miles. That's almost 250 miles a day through blizzards, Indian uprisings, and assaults from wolves and mountain lions.

Your 1/2-ounce letter cost $5. Each of the 190 Pony Express stations stabled fresh steeds. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a rider, as was "Wild Bill" Hickok. Each horseman received a Bible and was prohibited from drinking and swearing.

It looked like a great idea-faster than stagecoach or railroad. But in 18 months it was all over. That was when Western Union finished the first transcontinental telegraph line and the Civil War called. Sigh.

Robert Ross, our amiable almanacker, writes his column from Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 1997
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